China’s Economic and Scientific Espionage: A Threat to Germany’s National Security

2023-06-20 23:10:48

[The Epoch Times, June 21, 2023](Comprehensive report by Epoch Times reporter Zhang Ting) On Tuesday (June 20), Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin and urged China and Germany have cooperated closely and vigorously increased personnel exchanges. Unexpectedly, the German intelligence agency issued a report on the same day, emphasizing the CCP’s economic espionage and scientific espionage activities as the biggest threat to Germany, embarrassing Li Qiang who was visiting.

China’s Ministry of State Security is actively trying to obtain information Beijing wants in the political, economic and scientific fields, as well as information regarding Chinese dissidents living in Germany, according to a report released Tuesday by Germany’s Federal Office for the Defense of the Constitution (BfV), the domestic intelligence agency.

Intelligence agencies say foreign intelligence agencies are increasingly targeting Germany. Espionage, cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns, especially from China and Russia, “pose a serious threat” to Germany.

While the report cited the security challenges posed by Russia, the report’s strongest warnings were directed at China. The intelligence report says China is Germany’s greatest threat in terms of “economic and scientific espionage and foreign direct investment.”

The report pointed out that in 2022, Germany will be one of the most important target countries for the CCP to invest in Europe. Not only does direct investment offer the CCP the opportunity to bridge innovation gaps and achieve technological leadership, but it also opens the door to political influence, espionage, and sabotage. The report also warned that it might also pose a risk to Germany’s national security.

These disruptive activities might “endanger Germany’s competitiveness as an industrial and technological center” and undermine the laws of the market economy, the report said. “Ultimately, this risks leading to a loss of prosperity (in Germany) and thus jeopardizes democracy, social cohesion and Germany’s independence,” the report warns.

This harsh assessment report came out on the same day that Li Qiang and Scholz met. This is an embarrassing moment for Li Qiang, who is trying to persuade the German government to increase Sino-German cooperation in Germany. Of course, this is also an embarrassing moment for German Chancellor Scholz who received Li Qiang.

Archyde.com said Scholz was criticized for holding intergovernmental talks in Berlin with a large Chinese delegation led by Li Qiang. Critics say the symbolism is out of place given rising geopolitical tensions between the West and China.

Scholz explained the rationale for the talks at a joint news conference with Li Qiang on Tuesday. Direct dialogue is even more important in an unusual and challenging time, he said.

The press conference did not allow reporters to ask questions, which also caused controversy, which violated Western practice. Deutsche Welle said that it is generally believed that this arrangement was made at the request of the Chinese side.

On the same day that Li Qiang and Scholz met, the EU proposed an economic security plan. The plan is aimed at persuading the EU’s 27 member states to agree to stronger controls on exports and technology outflows that might be used by adversaries such as China for military purposes.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said Germany was also investigating potential risks of using Huawei telecommunications equipment in Germany’s 5G network.

“This investigation will be completed in the summer and then we will provide an assessment,” she said, adding that it might result in Huawei equipment having to be removed.

Responsible editor: Lin Yan#

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